Your Project’s Best Film Choice

SerraGlaze Daylight Redirecting window Film is a specialty product; due to the light redirecting (light bending) properties of the film.  It is hung above eye-level and is applied to either daylighting windows or simply in the upper portion of a view window.  It is available in both see-through (SerraGlaze Select) and privacy (SerraGlaze Diffuse) versions. And, unlike typical window film which comes in rolls and cut on the window, we deliver the product custom coated, pre-cut for each window, and ready to hang.

SerraGlaze Select appears as a see-through frit and provides several significant product improvements:

• Too much daylight can produce a negative result – greater glare. SerraGlaze Select is s a series of films that are more specifically tuned to the needs of the space by attenuating the amount of daylight admitted.  Latitude, orientation, use of the space, and other factors can influence the amount of daylight desired.  SerraGlaze Select enables the selection of the “right” solution for the space
• An additional advantage is that SerraGlaze Select reduces the brightness of the vertical column of light that presents when viewing the view from specific positions relative to the sun (an issue inherent with all microstructural films).

SerraGlaze Select also reduces the perception of haze, providing a clearer view out the window from most viewing positions

SerraGlaze Select is available in several frit coating densities, enabling the selection of film most suitable in achieving recommended light levels for the space. The frit attenuates the amount of the natural light entering the windows, further reduces glare and provides a visually crisp view out.

Windows oriented towards the equator typically need modest attenuation such as SerraGlaze Select-70, before redirecting sunlight to the ceiling, whereas East and West facing windows–in the direction of the rising and setting sun–may need to block more of the light to avoid the glare of a low sun so SerraGlaze Select 50 or 60 may be best.

Influencing Factors to Consider

As mentioned, latitude, orientation, use of the space, and other factors can influence the amount of daylight desired.  The closer one is to the equator, the higher the sun will pass through the sky, and vice versa.  It is important to understand the path of the sun throughout the year when determining the right daylighting film for the space. Additionally, the building and window orientation is important as to how high/low the sun will be when considering daylight and glare control needs of the targeted space on a year-round basis.

Due to the light redirecting technology built into the SerraGlaze film, it is intended to be applied above eye-level on the window.  Windows which could benefit from SerraGlaze are those above eye-level or in the position of the “daylighting” portion of a window.  This would include clerestory windows as well as the upper portion of a standard “view” window.

SerraGlaze works 24×7, i.e. direct sunlight as well as sky light will be redirected upward to the interior of the space when coming in contact with the film.  The glazing space below the film in many cases will still require the blockage of direct light or glare.  For each window, it is important to determine how much glare remains (which SerraGlaze does not control).

Direct sun access to the lower portion of the window will take part in that determination.  Overhangs, trees, neighboring buildings and other visual obstructions need consideraton.  Key analysis will be studying the sun’s year-round path for the location and orientation of the building.